Charleston Daily Mail

Mason Joins Putnam in Redistricting Lawsuit: County District

Mason County commissioners have decided to join with their counterparts in neighboring Putnam County to sue the state over the House of Delegates' redistricting plan. Mason commissioners Bob Baird, Miles Epling and Rick Handley voted unanimously last Thursday to join Putnam County's fight against the redistricting law.

Jackson County Senator Facemyer Will Not Seek Re-Election

State Sen. Karen Facemyer, R-Jackson, said Monday she would not seek re-election in 2012. "It has truly been an honor to represent Jackson, Mason, Putnam and Roane Counties in both the state Senate and the House of Delegates for the past 20 years," Facemyer said in a statement.

Red Cross Reaches Deal with Blood Drive Workers

The American Red Cross has reached a tentative contract agreement with unionized blood drive workers in five states. A unit of the Communications Workers of America's Local 13,000 withdrew its strike notice for Friday after the agreement was reached with the Red Cross Blood Services' Greater Alleghenies Region.

In Pa., Flight 93 Victims Receive Somber, Private Funeral

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. - The remains of those killed aboard Flight 93 in rural Pennsylvania were buried Monday in a private ceremony for family members of the 40 passengers and crew, who were joined by those who responded to the scene on Sept. 11, 2001. Nearly 500 family members, along with police, fire and emergency workers took part in the private interment at the Flight 93 National Memorial. The park was closed to the public to give them privacy.

Possible Habitable Planet Found

WASHINGTON - Astronomers believe they have found a second planet outside our solar system that seems to be in the right zone for life, just barely. But it would feel like a steam bath - hot, sticky and beyond uncomfortable.

Bank of America to Cut Jobs: By 2014

NEW YORK - Bank of America is slashing 30,000 jobs as part of an effort to reverse a crisis of confidence among investors. It's the largest single job reduction by a U.S. company this year. What CEO Brian Moynihan is trying to do is nothing less than save the nation's largest bank. Investors have cut the bank's market value by half this year. The bank is facing huge liabilities over soured mortgage investments and concerns over whether it has enough capital to withstand more financial shocks.

N.M. City Constructs World's Largest Navajo Taco

GALLUP, N.M. - Residents in Gallup have set the record for world's largest Navajo taco using 150 pieces of fry bread and, of course, more than 30 pounds of green chile, New Mexico officials and organizers said Monday. According to volunteers and state officials, the Navajo taco created Saturday was more than 10 feet in diameter and also needed 65 pounds of ground beef, 65 pounds of beans, 50 pounds of lettuce and 90 pounds of cheese.

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Nation & World

No more cigarettes for zoo orangutan

Woman Gets Prison for Killing Husband

MARTINSBURG - A Martinsburg woman will spend 15 years in prison on charges stemming for the fatal shooting of her estranged husband. Maria L. Decicio-Smith, 38, received the maximum sentence for voluntary manslaughter on Friday in Berkeley County Circuit Court.

Pawlenty Says He Endorses Romney As Presidential Hopeful

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Vanquished Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty endorsed contender Mitt Romney on Monday, calling the former Massachusetts governor the candidate who "possesses the unique qualifications to confront our severe economic predicament." Pawlenty, Minnesota's former governor, bypassed a home-state candidate in the process, Rep. Michele Bachmann, as well as the front-runner in national polls, Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Pawlenty left the 2012 race last month after losing to B...

Goodwin Says Victims' Advocates, Counselors Crucial to System: Victims

U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin told victims' advocates and counselors Monday that without their work the criminal justice system is not complete. Goodwin gave the opening remarks at the statewide Victim Assistance Academy being held this week at Coonskin Park. About 50 professionals and volunteers who meet the needs of crime victims in West Virginia are attending the annual training session.

Other Candidates Criticize Tomblin, Maloney: Are Almost Indistinguishable

The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor are virtually indistinguishable, Mountain Party candidate Bob Henry Baber said Monday. "Here in West Virginia, the difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is minute," Baber told the Daily Mail editorial board.

Obama Pushes Jobs Bill: Initiative

WASHINGTON - In a sharp challenge to the GOP, President Barack Obama proposed paying for his costly new jobs plan Monday with tax hikes that Republicans have already emphatically rejected. The reception to his new proposal was no more welcoming, setting the stage for a likely new fight with Congress. Flanked at the White House by workers he said the legislation would help, Obama declared, "This is the bill that Congress needs to pass. No games. No politics. No delays." He sent it to Capitol H...

Economists Dial Back Growth Forecasts: ; Experts Say Economy Will Grow 1.7 Percent This Year, Down From 2.Percent Prediction

WASHINGTON - Confronted with an economy that has decidedly underperformed this year, economists are scaling back their growth forecasts for 2011 and next year. In their latest forecast, top economists with the National Association for Business Economics predict that the economy will grow 1.7 percent this year - down from the group's May prediction of 2.8 percent expansion. For 2012, the group is forecasting growth of 2.3 percent, compared to a May forecast of 3.2 percent growth.

Business Briefs

Huntington Banks recognized for loans Huntington Banks said it has again been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the No. 3 lender in the nation for the number of loans provided to small businesses.

Business People

COAL Ronald Stovash has been named president and chief executive officer of Columbia Clean Power & Fuels Inc. Stovash was president and chief executive officer of PinnOak Resources. From 1987 to 2007 he held increasingly responsible positions at Consol Energy. Columbia Clean Power & Fuels is developing coal mining, coal coking and clean coal technology operations in the Republic of Colombia.

W.Va. Theater Show to Go National On Rfd Tv

MORGANTOWN - A country music and variety show that's entertained tens of thousands of West Virginia tourists for the past four years is going national. In January, the cable network RFD TV will begin airing weekly 30- minute shows from the American Mountain Theater in Elkins. Organizers made the announcement Monday in Wheeling.

Ohio Valley Hospitals to Pay $3.8 Million Settlement: ; Deal Ends Investigation Into Alleged False Claims

MORGANTOWN - Ohio Valley Medical Center, East Ohio Regional Hospital and the parent corporation of both will pay $3.8 million to settle allegations of health care fraud, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld said Monday. The deal ends an investigation into allegations that the hospitals submitted false claims to Medicaid and Medicare from January 2005 to August 2010. Both hospitals are owned by Ohio Valley Health Education & Services Corporation. OVMC is in Wheeling, and East Ohio is in Martins Fer...